Alaska Senate passes senior benefits bill, 3 others

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – A senior benefits bill passed the House on Wednesday at the State Capitol in Juneau.

Scott Kawasaki, R-Fairbanks, sponsored Senate Bill 170, which will extend the Senior Benefits Program indefinitely. The current program, which provides poorer Alaskans over 65 with a small monthly stipend, will end later this year.

It passed the body in a 19-0 vote and now heads toward the House.

Last year, to receive the largest monthly stipend — $250 — individuals and families could not make more than $13,658 and $18,480, respectively. Qualified Alaskans making less than those amounts received either a $76 or $175 monthly check. The income limits are a direct reflection of Alaska Federal Poverty Guidelines, which change each year.

The legislation aligns with one of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s priorities in Juneau this session, namely, to bring down the cost of living in Alaska.

Three other bills passed through the Senate this week: SB 104, SB 159 and SB 141. The first two were sponsored by Sen. Forrest Dunbar, D-Anchorage, while SB 141 was sponsored by Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel.

SB 170 would provide more money to the Alaska Legal Services Corporation and SB 159 renames the Friday before Memorial Day as Alaska Veterans Poppy Day.

SB 141 seeks to change the name of a bridge just outside of Aleknagik to the Raymond and Esther Conquest Bridge. The bridge is located about 25 miles north of Dillingham.

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